Is One Doctrine As Good As Another?

Dan Bailey

Most people do not think about it, but when they say that one church is as good as another, they are in essence saying, "that one doctrine is a good as another." Man-made churches are churches with mere men as founders. They also have different names and different doctrines. Some who claim to be Christians deny the virgin birth of Christ. Are they right, or are they wrong? Of course they are wrong! We read in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." We also read in Matthew 1:23, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." It is clear that anyone who believes that truth is attainable and who believes in the verbal inspiration of the Bible, believes that Jesus was born of a virgin.

Some would probably reply, "Well, the virgin birth is so clear that an honest person cannot miss it!" Certainly, this is the case. The Bible is very clear about the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ. But what about other doctrines?  Is the Bible clear about the church? The plan of salvation? Is it clear about true worship? The answer to all of these questions is yes! Consider some of the clear teachings of the Bible on the church of Christ.

1. Jesus promised to build his church.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).

2. The church is the body of Christ.

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27).

3. Christ is the head of the body or the church.

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18).

4. There is one body, just as there is one God.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).

5. A person enters the one body by being baptized.

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13).

6. Baptism is for the remission of sins.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

7. The blood of Christ was shed for the remission of sins.

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28).

8. When one is baptized, he is baptized into the death of Christ.

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3,4).

9. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ.

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5).

10. When one is baptized his sins are washed away.

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Let us study these scriptures carefully. They are clear. They are plain. They are as understandable as the virgin birth of Christ. The question is, "Do you believe that one doctrine is as good as another?"